Cooling unit for refrigerating apparatus



L. G. COPEMAN COOLING UNIT FOR REFRIGERATING APPARATUS May 29, 1928. I 1,671,762

Filed June 25, 1926 :s Sheets-Sheet 1 I'm! INVENTOR.

17 a pe'm d l May 29, 1928.

L. G. COPEMAN COOLING UNIT FOR REFRI GERATING APPARATUS Filed June 25, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR, L7 yd paman lily i li l f iNEy.

Patented May 29, 192 8.

A UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

COMPANY, OF FLINT, MICHIGAN,

A CORPORATION OI MICHIGAN.

COOLING UNIT FOR REFRIGERATING APPARATUS.

Application filed June 25,

This invention relates to a cooling unit for refrigeratin apparatus, and has to do particularly wit the provision of a sim le,

permanent and easily manufactured cooling unit adapted to contain the refrigerating be positioned in the recoils and adapted to of an automatic re-,

fligerating chamber frigerator cabinet. 7

. It is the ob'ect of the present invention to provide a re rigerating unit which may be inserted as a complete unit in a suitable refrigerating unit of a cabinet, and which is adapted to contain the refrigerating coils, whereby in operation such a unit is capable of absorbing heat from the interior of the refrigerator, and in turn, cause vaporization of the gas, or liquid in such cooling unit. More specifically, the structure of this novel unit consists of a plurality of refrigerating coils of either the expansion or flooded type which are so arranged, or. coiled, as to define one or more sharp freezing chambers and which refrigerating coils are cast embedded in artificial stone. Such artificial stone, when cast, defines the exterior and interior walls of the cooling unit, and also serves as a holdover medium as well as a conducting medium.

A further object of this invention has to do with the manner of forming the walls, and preferably the exterior walls of this cooling unit, and contemplates the casting, or forming, of corrugated walls, the corrugations or serrations of the walls varying in depth and registering with the embedded refrigerating coils which are preferably po sitioned adjacent the apexes of the corrugations or serrations. By constructing a c001 ing unit of this type, it is obvious that by providing serrations or corrugations, the effective heat transfer surface of the cooling unit is materially enlarged and that by varying the depth of the-corrugations, and by using the same number, or by adding to the refrigerating coils. that I have made it possible to utilize a simple. lightweight cooling unit of relatively small and substantially uniform dimensions for use in refrigerating units of widely varying capacities.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view ofa refrigerator cabinet with the front removed and a partly cut away-to illustrate my novel cool- ,1926. Serial No. 118,428.

mg unit positioned in the refrigerating chamber. 4

Fig. 2 is a perspective longitudinal and transverse sectional view of my novel cast cooling unit and illustrating the preferred manner of arranging the-coils to define the sharp freezing chambers and the manner of embedding the coils in the walls of thecooling unit.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken through one of the sharp freer ing chambers of a cooling unit, similar to the unit shown in Fig. 2, and illustrating the manner of casting or providing corrugations or serrations in the outer walls of the unit in order to increase the effective surface area of such unit.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 3 and illustrating the manner of increasing the capacity of the refrigeratmg coils as well as increasing the effective surface area of the cooling unit.

Fig. 5 is a detail fragmentary sectional view showing the preferred manner of casting the terminal fixtures for the refrigerating coils cast in the cooling unit.

' Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detail sectional view illustrating the pre erred manner of castin the well for the thermostatic unit for. contro ling the flow of refrigerant to the cooling unit.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary front elevation of the cooling unit illustrating the manner of suspending a cooling unit container within the cooling unit, and also showing the broad surface contact between the container and the grooves for supporting the same.

Hitherto in the forming of cooling units for domestic refrigerators the successful field has been more or less limited to the use of two types of evaporating or cooling units. These types are known as the direct ex ansion type and the flooded type, and both ave their advantages Probably the greater number of domestic refrigerator units utilize the direct expansion principle in combination with what is known as a brine tank. These brine tanks of the prior art have served as holdover mediums to stabilize the refrigerating system and also as more or less eificlent heat transfer, and also for providing the as well as disadvantages.

means for effecting 1 e they quirin nr sharp freezing chambers. Althou ht ese bruie tanks have been suilicientcient for practical commercial use yet have all presented the objection of rea relatively long time to effect freez ing the ice cubes and the like, and they also have the disadvanta e of having soldered or welded ioints which always present the liability of eakage.

The present invention overcomes the dif ficulties of the known prior art by providing a compact, symmetrical cast cooling unit having th refrigerating coils embedded therein which is so designed as to meet the heat transfer, or ice melting capacity of domestic refrigeratin units of varying size without material di erence. in general size of the unit. I preferably construct this cooling unit of artificial stone. This is a special form of oxy-chlorideceinent which I have disclosed in some of my prior applications, and which contains magnesium oxide, a suitable aggregate, such as ground flint, and to which dry mix is added magnesium chloride in solution to make a mix which will either pour, or can be lastically applied as desired. This is simplyi lustrative of one form of plastic material that may be utilized in effecting my invention and it will be understood that any similar plastic material may be utilized in formingthe cast, or plastically formed unit.

This application is a continuation, in part,

of my copending applications Serial No. 89,519, filed February 20, 1926, and Serial No. 86,719, filed February 8, 1926.

The refrigerator roper may be constructed in any manner esired, and as shown in the drawings, is provided with a refrigerating chamber 1 and suitable food chambers 2 and 3. Adapted to be suitably inserted in the refrigerating chamber 1 is a cooling unit which as shown in Fig. 1, may be generally designated 4. This cooling unit is preferably formed of cast stone as will be present-- ly described, and may be suspended or supported within the refrigerating" chamber in any manner desired.

In forming a coolin tors of relatively small capacity, I preferably buildor form the coils as i lustrated in Fig'. 2 to nerally define one or more sharp freezing c ambers and then cast the cooling unit and the integral-sharp freezing cham-' o h coils, additional coils may be added, and 1n her, or chambers, so as to rm a unit wit a smooth exterior as shown in Fi 1 and 2. This cooling unit may be forme by inserting suitable cores within the outline defined by the coils, insertin the cores and coils in a suitable-mould to efine the exterior, and then casting the complete unit by pouring the plastic mix of oxy-chloride cementbetween the cores and the mould walls, and in and around the refrigeratin .coils. After the plastic stone mix has he vsufficient time unit for refrigera to set the cores and mould may be removed in the customar manner.

In the form s own in Fig. 2 the coils 5 are arranged in the form of a figure 8 and as shown, are preferably continuous from the .terminal 6 to the terminal 7, and it will be understood that such terminals 6 and 7 may be connected to a suitable expansion valve and condenser unit of any standard apparatus. 'It will also be understood that the thickness of the walls of my cast refrigerating unit, surrounding the refrigerating coils, may be varied in accordance with the degree of holdover desired and in accordance with the ice melting capacity of the particular refrigerator unit.-

As is well known in the art, some refrigerating units are designed to embody a large number of sharp freezing chambers,-and other refrigerating units vary considerably in what is called refrigerating capacity, or ice melting efii'ect. In order to provide for these units of different. size and different capacities, and at the same time to maintain the weight of my cooling unit at a minimum, I preferably provide or cast suitable corrugations, or serrations 8 in the outer walls of the cooling unit. These serrations, or corrugations, are preferably cast on the sides and back of the cooling unit, but it will be understood thq' they may be formed on all the surfaces of such unit. As shown in Fig. 3, the corrugations 8 are formed on the exterior walls of the cooling unit, but it will be understood that in case the sharp freezing capacity is desired to be varied that suitable corrugations or serrations may be formed on the interior surfaces of the sharp freezing chambers. These corrugations whether on the interior or the exterior may be so cast or formed with the plastic stone composition that the parts of the refrigerating coils positioned adjacent the walls. of the unit are preferably embedded between the walls forming the corrugations and preferably adjacent the apexes of such serrations or corrugations. stood that these corrugations may be cast so as to be of any depth desired in order to rovide a varying amount of surface area '11! order to vary the heat transfer capacity of the unit.

If it is desired to or evaporating capacity of the refrigerating Fig. 4 is shown, one method to increase the refrigerant carrying. capacity by embedding a series of two refrigerating coils in eac corrugation. 7

It will be understood that refrigerating coils of either the direct expansion type or flooded type may be utilized in forming my novel cast cooling unit, and that in caseof the flooded type,

be easily and practically cast embedded as It will be underincrease the refrigerant that suitable headers may I 'celving a suitable thermostatic .niostatic element any part of the same,

. mngaa the: understood that the sharp freezing chambers, which may be desi ated 9, may of any size, shape and num r desired. In Fig.- 5 I have shown. the preferred manner of the terminals of ex ansion coils 5which are particularly adapta le to be used when such coils 5 are utilized with the direct expansion system. The terminal 6, as shown in Fig. 5, may be connected to a suitable expansion valve 11, and which valve 11 may be rovided with a suitable housing which may Be'easily inserted in a suitable well cast. in the-cooling unit4. The connection for the other terminal of an expansion coil may be made .by'means of a suitable member or connection 12 which may also be provided with.

asuitable housing which'is adapted to be receivedand positioned by a suitable well alsolcast in the moulded unit 4. As best shown in Fig. 6 the moulded unit 4 is preferably provided with a suitable well 14 for reunit 13. This \mit 13 may be provided witha ther- 15 adapted to be surrounded b a suitable liquid in the well 14. It will be understood that these terminal connections of the ther ostatic unit may be of any contour and o any standard design, the main point bein that when the cooling unit is moulded or cast that suitable wells or impressions may be very easilycmade at whereby the terminal connections or thermostatic unit may be inserted.

A further feature of my invention has to do with the provision of a novel coolin unit,

and particularly with the provision 0 novel guiding and supporting means cast as an integral part of the sharp freezing chamber, or chambers, of the coolin .unit, said guiding or susporting means ing adapted to receive an suspend the sharp freezing chamber containers in a novel manner. These.

uldin or supporting means are preferably orme in the nature of grooves in the side walls of the sharp freezing chambers and may be designated 10. These grooves, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 7, preferably consist of longitudinally extendin depressions which are downwardly tapered, the downwardly tapered portions serving as the guiding and direct supporting means for the containers. The container units may be of any desired form, and in Fig. 7 I have shown a container unit 16 which isadapte'd for use in freezing ice cubes. The supporting ed es of this unit 16 are preferably outwardly flared at 17, and them outwardly flaring portions 17' are referably of relatively great dimensions. ihese outwardly .flaring por- -tions 17 are adapted to cooperate with the downwardly supporting sides of the grooves 10, and in the preferred form ofmy invena part Ofths mung unit. It will be fur-.

forming the terminal units for n tion thedownwardly tapered grooves 10 and the outwardly flaring rtions 17 of the con tainers are so designed as to have arelatively great supporting and contacting surface. The object of this relativel great contact between the container 16 an 4 the su porting tively large amount of conduction cause a relatively large amount of heat abstraction between the interior walls of the sharp freezing. within such chamber. This abstraction of heat fromthe containers in a relatively large degree by direct conduction, in contrast with the abstraction of the heat by convection, materially reduces the time required for freezing or reduction of temperature of the contents of the containers. The container 16 is provided with suitable partitions 18 for dividing the container into suitable spaces for receivin water or other substance 19 for cooling or reezing the same.

It will thus be obvious that I have provided a cooling unit which may be formed to define suitable sharpfreezing chambers whereby the unit is a permanent one and may be directly inserted in the refrigerating chamber of the refrigerator cabinet as a permanent, compact and neat appearing unit. It will furthermore be obvious that by providing a cooling unit formed of artificial stone that such artificial stone not only serves as a good'conductor' for effecting efiicient heat transfer, but also serves as a holdover medium which entirely obviates the use of brine and a brine tank. This combination of a relatively good conductor and a good holdover medium results in a very elficient sharp freezing action in the production of ice cubes, and I have found from experience that b utilizing a cast stone cooling unit that t e water within the sharp freezing chamber may be frozen into ice cubes in substantially half the time required to freeze ice cubes in the standard brine tanks now in commercial use.

It will furthermore be obvious that by providing a cooling unit havin surfaces which may be readily formed wit corrugations of varying depth and area that I have made it possible to form a relatively large number of cooling units of substantially constant size and weight but of widely varied refrigerating capacity.

hile my cast stone cooling unit is particularly adaptable and designedin the pres ent illustrated embodiment for use with refrigerating systems of the compression expansion type, it will be understood that my cooling unit is equally well adaptable as a unitin a refrigerating system of the absorption. type. It will therefore be understood that I do not intend to limit myself to any specific ty e of mechanical refrigeration. andthat t e terms mechanical or autowalls of'the cooling unit isto permlt a rela- I and thus ing systems, having refrigerating coils embedded in the walls thereof and adapted to be inserted as a unit in a refrigeratorcabinet.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a cooling unit adapted to be inserted in the refrigerating chamber of an automatic re-. frigerating unit, and comprising a refrigerating coil formed to generally 'define one or more sharp freezing chambers, and moulded walls surrounding said refrigerating coils to form the exterior walls of the cooling unit and the interior walls of the sharp freezing chamber, or chambers.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a cooling unit, for automatic refrigeratin units, formed of moulded stone and shape to define one or more sharp freezing chambers, and a refrigerating coil embedded in the walls of said unit whereby to abstract heat from said sharp freezing chamber, or chambers, and from the refrigerating chamber and food chambers of the refrigerating unit.

4. As a new article of manufacture, a moulded cooling unit, a refrigerating coil embedded in the walls of said unit and serrations in one or more walls of said unit to increase the effective heat transfer surface,

of said unit. A

5. As a new article of manufacture, a

cooling unit forautomatic refri crating formed by a 4 applied walls for embedding sai systems comprising a separate moul ed unit formed to define a sharp freezing chamber, a refrigerating coil embedded in the walls of said unit and surrounding said chamber, or chambers, and serrations formed in one or more walls of said unit to increase the effectivedieat transfer surface of said unit. 6. As a new article of manufacture, a cooling unit for use with refrigerating systems com rising more wal s defined b a lurality of serrations for increasing the e ective ice meltin ca acity of such surface, or surfaces, an re rigerating coils within said container, and positioned within the wall or walls saidserrations. 7. As new article of manufacture, I moulded cooling .unit adapted to be inserted within a-refrigerating chamber of a refrigerator comprising a refrigeratingcoil formed to generally define one or more sharp freezing chambers and the exterior surfaces of the cooling unit, and plastically refrigerating coil and for defining the finished interior and exterior surfaces. of the cooling unit, one or. more of" the-walls being provided with serrations cooperating with the a container having one or a relatively large cooling surface in proporsize thereof.

tion to the weight and use with refrigerat- 9. A cooling unit for ing systems comprising a formed of cast stone, a wall or wallsof said unit being provided with conduits for receiving a re ri erant for expansion, and serrations formed in between some of said conduits ofa. depth to increase the refrigerating aces of moulded unit I capacity of the unit without materially increasing the weight thereof.

10. As a new article of manufacture, a cooling unit for use with refrigerating systems comprising a shar freeznigchamber and downwardly tapere, grooves formed in the side walls of. he sharp f'reezinglchamber for carrying and suspending t e container or containers for such sharp freezing chamber,said container or containers being supported by means of laterally projecting portions which project from the containers and engage the downwardly tapered supporting surfaces of the ooves.

11. As a new article of manufacture; a cooling unit foruse with refr' rating syS- tems comprising a moulded unit formed to define one or more sharp 'freezin chambers, refrigerating coils embedded in e walls of said unit and grooves formed in-the walls of said chamber or chambers for suspendin the container ada ted to be inserted in sai chamber or cham rs..

12. As a new article of manufacture, a cooling unit for use with refrigerating systems comprising sharp freezing chamber or chambers, g'roovesformed in the walls of said chamber or chambers and adapted to receive and sus nd suitable containers within the sharp eezing chambers, and permit the containers to extend the entire width of the chamber or chambers, said grooves having supporting surfaces designed to contact with a relatively large area of the suspended container to permit a large degree of direct conduction between the walls of the sharp freezing chamber and container or containers.

13. As a new cast cooling unit, for refrigerating systems ro'vided with expansion conduits m the walls thereof and one or more wells formed article ofmanufacture, a

of a suitable connection or connections for the terminals of the expansion coils.

14. As a new article of manufacture a cast cooling unit provided with expanslon conduits in the walls thereof and a well cast in the walls of the unit for receiving a thermostatic unit.

15. A refrigerating apparatus consisting of a casing having a storage chamber therein and a cooling device located adjacent the upper part of said chamber, said cooling device comprising a unit formed of molded stone and a conduit through which a refrigerant is to be circulated, embedded in said stone.

16. As a unit forand in a mechanical refrigerating system of the expansion type, a cooling unit formed of stone and shaped to define one or more sharp freezing chambers, and an expansion coil located in conducting relation with respect to the stone for abstracting heat from thecontents of the sharp freezing chamber or chambers by heat conduction through the stone.

17. A refrigerating apparatus consisting of a casing having a storage chamber there in and a separate cooling unit located within the confines of said casing and forming a link in a mechanical refrigerating system for receiving a refri erant for ex ansion, said cooling unit eing forme of molded stone, anda conduit throu h which a volatile refrigerant is to be circu ated, located in proximity with the stone to effect heat exchange through the stone by conduction.

18. A cooling unit for mechanical refrigerating systems, comprising a unit formed of stone and shaped to define one or more sharp freezing chambers, said unit being provided with expansion conduits in the walls thereof for receiving the refrigerant for expansion to produce a cooling effect said stone acting as a conductor and hol over. 1

19. As a new article of manufacture, a cast stone cooling unit for refrigerating systems provided with expansion conduits formed in the walls thereof and one or more wells formed in the cast stone wall or walls of the unit for the reception of a suitable operating connection or connections formin-ga part of the ref i erating system.

In testimony whereof I a x my signature.

LLOYD G. COPEMAN. 

